Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany
The development of a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin has resulted in about 500,000 trees being felled, according to satellite analysis.
The building of the German factory has been highly controversial and attracted significant protests, as well as prompting a debate about the trade-offs involved in developing a green economy.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s owner, has criticised local police for letting off “leftwing protesters”.
Satellite images show 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cut down at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, according to the environmental intelligence company Kayrros. That is equivalent to approximately 500,000 trees.
Just one thing: these were a monoculture plantation, which would have been felled anyway. Not a natural wood.
The moment I saw the topic title, I immediately thought it was old growth forest that had been felled and was preparing for the possibility that I may have to start adding links to petitions and joining the protests here, since this is something that will be very upsetting to me even though this is in Germany, not koala habitat in Australia.
